Cricket Fiji to host Men’s/Women’s Pacific Island Cricket Challenge 2023

Cricket Fiji, in collaboration with Australian Defence Force Cricket (ADF), and support from ICC EAP and Cricket Australia (CA), will be hosting the inaugural edition of the Pacific Islands Cricket Challenge (PICC23) tournament at Albert Park, Suva from March 05th – 18th, 2023. The Tournament will be played for both Men’s and Women’s teams participating, and will see Papua New Guinea (PNG), Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji and The Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC Barbarians) teams compete in both the categories. The matches (both Men’s and Women’s) between the countries (with the exception of matches in the Men’s category involving PNG Academy squad) will be official T20Is with ranking points. The Women’s teams from the four (4) nations have played against each other in October 2022, during the inaugural edition of Women’s Pacific Cup tournament in Vanuatu, while the Men’s teams Samoa, Vanuatu and Fiji last met with each other during 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup EAP sub-regional qualifier in September 2022 in Samoa.

The PICC23 vision is ‘Pacific CommUNITY through Cricket’. ADF Cricket developed PICC23 to reinforce the benefits of cricket as a community sport in the South West Pacific and maximize Pacific Step-Up ‘people-to-people connections’ across multiple Pacific nations. Originally created by ADF Cricket, PICC23 development occurred in collaboration with the International Cricket Council East Asia Pacific (ICC EAP), Cricket Australia and Cricket Fiji. PICC23 has two discrete parts: the PICC23 Skills Development Program (SDP) that aims to increase local community capacity, and the PICC23 T20 cricket tournament that creates a high-profile marque event.

Leveraging existing ICC EAP and CA community cricket programs, ADF Cricket will also coordinate a skills development program from March 05th – 09th, that draws up to 70 participants from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands. The program promotes health and fitness techniques, leadership, cricket coaching, umpiring and scoring accreditation, as well as a Suva-based community and school program based on Cricket Australia’s ‘Cricket Blast’ children’s program.

With the absence of Cricket as a medal category in the 2023 Pacific Games in Solomon Islands, this initiative from Australian Defence Force Cricket will bring much needed regional competition apart from ICC qualification events, which has taken a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic years. With PacificAus Sports also collaboration with Cricket Boards in the region, Papua New Guinea Women’s team members have got playing opportunities with clubs based in Australia, while the National squad also competed in the 2023 Australian Country Cricket Championships in Canberra. Samoa Cricket Development Coordinator Perelini Mulitalo has also mentioned in a press interview that the next edition of the Pacific Island Cricket Challenge will be taking place next year in New Zealand.

Men’s Squads

Papua New Guinea (Academy): Jason Kila (captain), Malcolm Aporo, Travis Vuivagi, Govea Airi, Aue Oru, Tau Nou, Christopher Kilapat, Junior Morea, Michael Charlies, Lega Siaka, Jack Gardner, Vani Vagi, Doko Rupa and Nosaina Pokana

Samoa: Mathew Taauso, Aoga Lii Leutogi, Liuoge Fereti, Sitanisilao Toutai, Pasi Kalosi, Peniall Zink, Timezen Rapi, Afapene Ilaoa, Polenisia Kaisara, Josef Pita, Titi Faatea Lutau, Darren Roache, Paul Vailigi Rarotoga, Maene Tuilaepa and Bondi Pita

Fiji: Jone Wesele (Captain), Saimoni Tuitoga, Cakacaka Veretaki, Delaimakutu Maraiwai, Josaia Baleicikobia, Peni Vuniwaqa, Peni Dakainivanua, Noa Acawei, Sekove Ravoka, Petero Cabebula, Uraia Sorovakatini, Siteri Tabu, Metuisela Beitaki, Peni Kotoisuva, Eriki Biudole and James Vuli

Vanuatu: Patrick Matautaava (Captain), Andrew Mansale, Junior Paul Kaltapau, Ronald Tari, Joshua Rasu, Nalin Nipiko, Darren Wotu, Obed Yosef, Bettan Ala Viraliliu, Godfrey Mangau, Clement Tommy, Roderick Lekai, Womejo Wotu and Simpson Obed

ANZAC: Levin Maladay (Captain), Ian Smith, Heet Amin, Marc Chappel, Jackson Edwards, Matthew Guest, Lachlan Johnson, Thomas Lavender, Matthew Lyons, Shaun Montgomery, Samuel Pisel, William Schewy, Steven Sheaaky, Rana Stevens, Simon Behl and Samuel Fahy

Pacific Island Cricket Challenge (PICC23) Men’s Schedule

11th March 2023: ANZAC Men vs Fiji (Scorecard) ; Samoa vs Papua New Guinea Academy (Scorecard)

13th/14th March 2023: Papua New Guinea Academy vs Fiji (Scorecard) ; Samoa vs Vanuatu (Scorecard) ; Vanuatu vs ANZAC Men (Scorecard) ; Fiji vs Samoa (Scorecard)

15th/16th March 2023: Samoa vs ANZAC Men (Scorecard) ; Papua New Guinea Academy vs Vanuatu (Scorecard) ; ANZAC Men vs Papua New Guinea Academy (Scorecard) ; Vanuatu vs Fiji (Scorecard)

17th March 2023: Semifinal#1 (Scorecard) ; Semifinal#2 (Scorecard)

18th March 2023: 3rd/4th play-off (Scorecard) ; FINAL (Scorecard)

Women’s Squads

Papua New Guinea: Kaia Arua (captain), Vicky Ara’a, Hollan Doriga, Kevau Frank, Sibona Jimmy, Ravini Oa, Erani Pokana, Tania Ruma, Pauke Siaka, Brenda Tau, Henao Thomas, Geua Tom, Isabella Toua and Naoani Vare

Vanuatu: Selina Solman (Captain), Alvina Chilia, Rachel Andrew, Valenta Langiatu, Vicky Mansale, Marcelina Mete, Gillian Chilia, Netty Chilia, Rayline Ova, Leimara Tastuki, Louise Tastuki, Therese Mansale, Tina Kalosin and Maloni Vatoko

Samoa: Florence Agaimalo, Vicky Tafea, Angel Sootaga, Ariota Kupito, Leitu Ah Leong, Apolonia Polataivao, Jacinta Sanele, Matile Uliao, Kolotita Lui Nonu, Salema Toomaga, Taalili Iosefo, Ruth Johnston, Sarina Moe and Ituniu Faleupolu

ANZAC: Tayla Seymour (Captain), Natasha Wilson, Amanda Bellamy, Kirsten Benzie, Melissa Campbell, Meagan Campbell, Elisabeth Drake, Shannon Keil, Lauren Lennox, Zoe Livori, Olivia Mulvany, Wahalathanthrige Perera, Amy Wiseman, Lauren Woods, Amanda Green, Jennifer Harmon and Kristen Smith

Pacific Island Cricket Challenge (PICC23) Women’s Schedule

11th March 2023: ANZAC Women vs Fiji Women (Scorecard) ; Samoa Women vs Papua New Guinea Women (Scorecard)

13th/14th March 2023: Papua New Guinea Women vs Fiji Women (Scorecard) ; Samoa Women vs Vanuatu Women (Scorecard) ; Vanuatu Women vs ANZAC Women (Scorecard) ; Fiji Women vs Samoa Women (Scorecard)

15th/16th March 2023: Samoa Women vs ANZAC Women (Scorecard) ; Papua New Guinea Women vs Vanuatu Women (Scorecard) ; ANZAC Women vs Papua New Guinea Women (Scorecard) ; Vanuatu Women vs Fiji Women (Scorecard)

17th March 2023: Semifinal#1 (Scorecard) ; Semifinal#2 (Scorecard)

18th March 2023: 3rd/4th play-off (Scorecard) ; FINAL (Scorecard)